doodlecontrolpanel00YOUR CAR'S CONTROL PANEL
Dashboard lights speak in traffic light colours.
National Highways says warning lights typically follow a red, amber and green system, with white or blue on some cars. The colour tells you how quickly to act, and where it is safe to stop.
Check a light01Principles
02THE SHORT ANSWER
Some lights glow briefly when you start the engine.
It is the ones that stay on that matter.
RED
Do not start a journey with a red light showing. If one comes on while driving, do not stop in a live lane unless absolutely necessary: leave at the next junction or services.
Check a lightAMBER
Amber suggests maintenance or checks may be needed. National Highways says not to set off with an amber light showing and to get the fault checked as soon as it is safe.
See the MOT rulesGREEN · WHITE · BLUE
These give general information about the status of your vehicle. You do not need to stop, but find out what the symbol means at your next planned stop.
Know your symbols03A QUICK LIGHT CHECK
Pick what you can see to read what National Highways guidance says to do. The bar shows how urgently the guidance asks you to act.
Based on National Highways dashboard warning lights guidance. Always check your vehicle's own handbook for what each symbol means.
04TWO DATES WORTH KNOWING
The MOT tester checks that key warning lamps work
and are not showing a fault.
2003 onwards
Petrol cars first used from 1 July
The MOT checks the engine malfunction indicator lamp on petrol cars first used on or after 1 July 2003, and diesels from 1 July 2008. A lamp that does not work or shows a malfunction is a major defect.
ENGINE LIGHT · MOT MANUAL
2012 onwards
Cars first used from 1 January
The tyre pressure monitoring system warning lamp is inspected on passenger cars first used on or after 1 January 2012. A lamp left on after a pressure loss does not automatically mean the system has a fault.
TYRE PRESSURE LIGHT · MOT MANUAL
The MOT manual also lists an anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning device that does not work, or shows a system malfunction, as a major defect.
05FOUR HABITS TO TRY
National Highways says it is important to be familiar with your car's specific symbols, especially in a new or hired car. These habits take minutes.
Notice which lights glow and go out when you start the engine, so you spot one that stays on.
Each maker's symbols differ. Find the warning lights page in the vehicle manual and keep it in the car.
Get the fault checked before the journey rather than on the motorway.
If a light comes on while driving, aim for the next junction or services, not the live lane.
06ON THE MOTORWAY
National Highways' advice is the same for red and amber lights that come on while you drive: do not stop in a live lane unless absolutely necessary. If the vehicle can be driven safely, exit at the next junction or service area to seek advice and assistance.
If you cannot leave the carriageway, move into the left lane and pull into an emergency area, a layby or onto the hard shoulder. The project behind the guidance aims to reduce preventable stops on the strategic road network.
07Questions
National Highways says they typically follow a traffic light system: red for a potentially serious fault, amber as advisory that maintenance may be needed, and green, white or blue for information.
National Highways says not to start a journey with an amber light showing. If one comes on while driving, get the fault checked as soon as it is safe to do so.
It is normal for some lights to appear briefly when you start the engine. The MOT manual describes lamps such as the engine light that should illuminate and then go off.
Some will. The MOT manual lists an engine malfunction indicator lamp that is inoperative or indicating a malfunction, and an ABS warning device showing a malfunction, as major defects.
In your vehicle's instruction manual, or from the manufacturer. National Highways says this matters most when you buy a new vehicle or hire an unfamiliar one.
08Sources
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